Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
5. Lessons of the Prophet’s Life
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Bearing this in mind, let us look at some incidents
of great moral significance, which occurred during
the life of the Prophet Muhammad.
NEVER YIELDING TO DESPAIR
The tribal system prevalent in the time of the
Prophet was one, which afforded protection to
individuals. It was seldom that anyone could
survive without it. At the beginning of the period
he spent in Makkah, the Prophet Muhammad, on
whom be peace, enjoyed the protection of his
uncle, Abu Talib, chieftain of the Banu Hashim. In
the tenth year of his mission, Abu Talib died, and
his mantle descended upon Abu Lahab. Since Abu
Lahab refused to extend any protection to him, the
Prophet began seeking the protection of some
other tribe, so that he could continue his
preaching work. It was for this purpose that he
went to Ta’if.
Along with Zayd ibn Harithah, the Prophet made
the 65-mile journey to Ta’if, a fertile oasis south-east
of Makkah. He had some relatives in the town, but
at that time power rested with three individuals:
‘Abd Yalayl, Mas’ud and Habib. The Prophet met
